Foreign exchange market. Asian session: the pound tumbled

Economic calendar (GMT0):

Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual

01:35 Japan Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) February 52.3 50.2

The pound fell sharply as some influential U.K. officials including London Mayor Boris Johnson still support the idea of U.K.'s exit from the European Union. A referendum on this subject is scheduled for June 23 and any news on citizens' opinion may boost the pound's volatility. This morning the GBP/USD pair traded about 100 points below last week's close level.

The euro, which is currently under pressure amid risk appetite, will be influenced by today's data on production activity in several European countries.

The yen declined against the U.S. dollar on preliminary manufacturing PMI data. The index declined to 50.2 points in February from 52.3 reported previously. Economists had expected a more modest decline to 52.0. New export orders fell at the fastest pace in three years coming in at 47.9 compared to 53.1 reported previously.

EUR/USD: the pair traded within $1.1100 in Asian trade

USD/JPY: the pair rose to Y113.05

GBP/USD: the pair fell to $1.4255

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)

08:00 France Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) February 50 49.9

08:00 France Services PMI (Preliminary) February 50.3 50.3

08:15 Switzerland Producer & Import Prices, y/y January -5.5%

08:15 Switzerland Producer & Import Prices, m/m January -0.4%

08:30 Germany Services PMI (Preliminary) February 55 54.7

08:30 Germany Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) February 52.3 52

09:00 Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) February 52.3 52.0

09:00 Eurozone Services PMI (Preliminary) February 53.6 53.4

11:00 United Kingdom CBI industrial order books balance February -15

14:45 U.S. Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) February 52.4 52.3